• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
exclusive
Media

Will ‘NBA Countdown’ Host Maria Taylor Leave ESPN?

  • “NBA Countdown” and “College GameDay” star’s contract is up this summer.
  • ESPN “strongly” wants to re-sign Taylor, said sources.
Joe Faraoni-ESPN

ESPN has a big talent decision coming up. Popular reporter/host Maria Taylor’s contract is up this summer.

As ESPN cuts costs and scrutinizes its talent contracts, the network will have to work hard to re-sign one of its fastest-rising young stars.

The 33-year-old star of “NBA Countdown” and “College GameDay” has experienced a meteoric rise since joining ESPN in 2014. 

Starting off as the host of “SEC Nation,” the former University of Georgia athlete became a reporter for “College GameDay” and “ABC Saturday Night Football” in 2017, after Samantha Ponder moved over to “Sunday NFL Countdown.” Two years later, Taylor got another big promotion, succeeding Michelle Beadle as host of “NBA Countdown.”

When the “College GameDay” crew of Taylor, Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler got the call to work the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Giants “Monday Night Football” game in 2020, Taylor tweeted: “First NFL game of my career so I think that makes me a rookie.”

Taylor signed her last contract extension in Summer 2018. ESPN declined to comment.

ESPN “strongly” wants to keep her, said a source. Despite a difficult talent market post-pandemic, Taylor will likely have options if she chooses free agency:

  • With its growing portfolio of NFL and college sports rights, Taylor would be a natural target for Fox Sports. Fox has been poaching a number of ESPNers, including Tom Rinaldi, Emmanuel Acho, Jonathan Vilma, Mark Schlereth, and Adam Amin.
  • Taylor’s also the type of versatile TV talent who can move into news or entertainment reporting, said sources. Think Michael Strahan, Robin Roberts, and Bryant Gumbel. 
  • Amazon’s expected to land “Thursday Night Football” during current NFL rights negotiations. Taylor’s equally adept at reporting and hosting. It’s only a matter of time before deep-pocketed tech giants start poaching talent from legacy networks, said sources. 

Taylor has never been afraid to publicly mix it up. 

When Chicago radio host Dan McNeil tweeted that Taylor’s MNF outfit was more appropriate for an adult film awards show, she called him out. 

“Well Danny Dearest if you would like to continue making sexist comments about me…please bring your misogyny with you to the NBA Countdown double header I’ll be hosting tomorrow night. Hey ladies remember you can wear whatever you feel confident in!”

Taylor’s colleagues, like Elle Duncan of ESPN, rushed to her defense. “Imagine just crushing your first MNF gig and having a senior age man comment on your outfit as his biggest takeaway,” tweeted Duncan.

McNeil was quickly terminated by Entercom Chicago. He later apologized publicly to Taylor and wished her luck. “You’re terrific,” he tweeted. 

When New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees repeatedly backtracked for calling NFL players “disrespectful” for kneeling for racial justice, Taylor was having none of his excuses.  

“My patience left my body when I saw George Floyd take his last breath,” she told Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman on “First Take.” Her Brees comments went viral, drawing over 1.5 million views on Twitter.

Still, business is business. A budget-conscious ESPN has either bought or declined to re-sign other hosts such as Beadle, Dan Le Batard, Mike Golic Sr., and Trey Wingo the last couple of years. 

If Taylor leaves, ESPN still has a deep bench of up-and-coming talent including Duncan, Cassidy Hubbarth, Malika Andrews, and Monica McNutt. All of them boast a mix of hosting and reporting experience for pro and college sports.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Amazon Sports Chief Says NBA, WNBA Coverage Should Be Celebratory

“There’s too much weird negativity out there,” Jay Marine told FOS.

Manfred Says New MLB Rights Deal ‘Replicated’ Money From ESPN Opt-Out

Rob Manfred spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) fakes a hand off in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.

Amazon Says It Wants To Broadcast a Super Bowl

Jay Marine says he is “optimistic” about airing the Big Game.
Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back AK Dear (0) tries to outrun Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) during the second half at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Despite Vote Delay, SCORE Act Negotiations Continue on Capitol Hill

Political ad campaigns during college football Saturdays continue as well.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
exclusive

ESPN, Fox One Added 1M Sign-Ups in First 10 Days After Launch

The two high-profile streaming services have strong starts with consumers.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.
September 15, 2025

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.
Greg Olsen
September 16, 2025

Greg Olsen on Tom Brady’s Raiders Role: ‘More Power to Him’

This season, the NFL has relaxed the special Brady broadcasting rules.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18.
September 15, 2025

Amazon Shatters Previous Ratings High for 1st NFL Game

“TNF” viewership surges 35% compared to the 2024 season average.
Las Vegas Aces
September 15, 2025

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.
September 15, 2025

Chiefs’ Fall to 0–2 Dims the Spotlight on NFL’s Top TV Draw

The NFL’s most-watched team sinks to a new low since Patrick Mahomes arrived.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
September 12, 2025

College Football Enters Week 3 Up 21% in TV Ratings

Total college football viewership across all networks is up big.